It has been 25 years since women were permitted to join the magic circle, but today only 5% of magicians are female, this article explores this along with a current rise in prominence for some female magicians.

Case study of The Curve theatre in Leicester, which was considered an expensive failure when it opened in 2008, but has become one of the top 10 producing theatres in the UK generating an annual income of almost £5m.

London has 241 theatres with 110,000 seats, more than 22 million people attended a London theatre in 2012/13, which is experiencing a boom in terms of audiences, and artistic output. This report reveals a number of facts and figures in relation to this.

Theatre blogger Lyn Gardner discusses the difficulties faced by theatres in gathering meaningful information about what their audiences actually want from their theatre experience, and how to predict what they might want in future.

Video article about the Theatre Royal Stratford East in London inviting local people to apply for theatrical performances to be held in their home, which is an innovative way to open up theatre to people who otherwise may not get to see it. This also allows performers to explore new intimate spaces for their work.

Relaxed performances: Making theatre trips possible for people with autism or a learning disability

Blog feature in which 'relaxed' theatre performaces are discussed, that are more leniant and allowing for audience needs, particularly those audiences that may include people with learning difficulties.

Guardian blog feature exploring the wisdom of showcasing new work and work that may not be refined to audiences of critics, which can potentially court negative publicity for performances before they have been fully developed.

In an attempt to try and attract more younger audiences the English National Opera have announced a scheme to attract young people who can dress 'casually' and buy tickets for 'best seats'. The ENO state that only 30% of their audiences are under 44 years old.

News story highlighting how despite recessionary times that the National Theatre has taken a record £80m in its annual takings, which is more than double what it took 10 years ago, partly attributed to productions such as 'War Horse'. The article also highlights criticisms of British Government spending cuts on the arts.

A theatre in the south Russian city of Rostov has dropped a production of Jesus Christ Superstar after protests by Orthodox Christians who claim the production is a 'profanation'. This is the latest legal challenge over freedom of expression in entertainment citing religious belief in Russia following the jailing of the band Pussy Riot for causing religious offence, and could be the tip of a stifling of entertainment output in the country that may be seen as blasphemous or religiously offensive.

Article highlighting a survey that shows the recent drop in theatre interest amongst young children outside of school including performance attendances as well as participation in theatrical extra-curricular activities.

Case study highlighting the strategy employed by the Northern Ballet after government funding cuts forced the dance company to seek private sponsorship, which has lead to the company increasing its numbers.

Story of Frederick Kempster who worked in a circus as a professional giant at the beginning of the 20th Century, the story highlights how the 'unusual' attracts audiences of onlookers, but also highlights how pre-television, live events of this nature were more popular.

When you go to the theatre, the show is the main event, of course – but everything that surrounds it that can make or break the experience. This article explores what theatres can do to add value to the theatre-going experience, in a bid to encourage further repeat custom from patrons.

Julie’s Bicycle is to work in partnership with the Broadway Green Alliance under the banner of the International Green Theatre Alliance from now on. The organisations, which both work to promote environmental sustainability in theatre will provide information and resources on green 'best practice' in the arts.

News story highlighting a technological innovation in Japan, which using augmented reality has created a live show experience where CGI characters and actual human dancers can perform together on stage for the first time.

News story about dance companies in the UK, which are being urged to back a scheme aimed at supporting dancers at the end of their stage careers, as part of a Europe-wide effort to boost employment opportunities for performers facing retirement.

News story about potential benefits to theatres, from government plans to introduce local television stations, which will make TV advertising affordable to venues and producers for the first time, (according to former BBC director general Greg Dyke).

News story about the performance of 'Slick' by the National Youth Theatre which is being performed in Sheffield at Park Hill Flats. This is another example of theatre using a non-traditional community-based 'stage' for a performance.

News story about Shakespeare 4 Kidz - one of the UK's leading touring companies creating work for children, which is to suspend all its UK tours until at least spring 2012 due to “concerns regarding the viability of commercial theatre touring in the current economic climate”.

News story based upon a report by green arts organisation Julie's Bicycle, which states that savings worth £35 million can be made by theatre, music and visual arts over the next four years if the sectors reduce their energy use by 25% during that time.

With public grants for the arts shrinking, many venues and artists are looking for new ways to fund their works. From fan funding to hosting weddings on stage, here are some of the more innovative schemes that arts bodies around the UK are turning to.

Interest story debating whether market efficiency and economic growth has begun to subordinate all other values in theatre. In the last 25 years, the biggest single area of growth in theatre has been in the relentless expansion of the administrative and entrepreneurial classes.

Traverse shows to be screened live in cinemas during Edinburgh Festival

News story about Hibrow Productions, a nascent internet platform that is dedicated to streaming performing and visual arts online, which is to receive its first tryout during this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Despite the economic climate and growing competition from rival events, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has announced a massive 17% increase in the number of productions in this year’s programme, which runs from August 6 to 30.

London's West End theatres are bracing themselves for a fall in ticket sales of as much as 20% over the next month, with the football World Cup expected to seriously dent audience numbers. Producers, venue owners and ticket agents are preparing for an especially tough period during June, when England will play at least three games - all of which clash with theatre performances.

News video about sub-terranean tunnels being used for a theatrical performace, highlighting the use of non-traditional venues for theatre, and in particular how this setting can contribute to atmosphere and emotion amongst the audience.

Summary of a report on innovation in the arts, which found that cinema audiences who watched a live screening of a national theatre play were more emotionally engaged than those who watched it in the theatre. The report - by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (Nesta) - suggests the use of digital technology is crucial at a time when the arts world is facing a financial squeeze.

News article of how Ed Vaizey will today be confirmed as the new culture minister, The Stage understands. Vaizey has been given the arts brief within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Portfolios are currently being confirmed, with further announcements of departmental appointments are expected today.

News article regarding the new government and a new man in charge of the culture brief - Jeremy Hunt. We’ll probably find out later today who will be given the arts minister brief, but it’s likely to be one of Ed Vaizey - the Tory arts spokesman, who worked with Hunt while in opposition - or Don Foster, who had similar responsibilities for the Liberal Democrats.

News piece about a true cause for celebration in this country, theatre. And now in this country we have theatrical traditions and talents that are truly dazzling. In the midst of our national self-doubt and economic decline, it is worth remembering that British theatre is a national and international treasure.

News article about how the central problem facing the arts today is not a lack of flute players, choreographers, actors or painters. The main challenge the arts world must address is the lack of a large, trained corps of managers who know how to find resources, attract audiences and other constituents and provide support to our artists.